Known as The Philosopher of Pessimism, Schopenhauer left behind an unpublished manuscript found only after his death.
The Art of Being Happy
10 rules to be happy (according to a pessimist):
The Art of Being Happy
10 rules to be happy (according to a pessimist):
1. Avoid Envy
Envy is a sinister feeling that not only robs us of our joie de vivre (joy of life), it blocks us from building our own life of happiness.
Envy is a sinister feeling that not only robs us of our joie de vivre (joy of life), it blocks us from building our own life of happiness.
2. Stop Looking For Happiness
Schopenhauer argues that avoiding unhappiness is a nobler pursuit than chasing happiness.
This sounds obvious yet how many times do we put ourselves in situations that we know will make us unhappy.
Schopenhauer argues that avoiding unhappiness is a nobler pursuit than chasing happiness.
This sounds obvious yet how many times do we put ourselves in situations that we know will make us unhappy.
Chasing happiness on the other hand is like trying to catch a butterfly, according to Henry David Thoreau.
The more we chase the more it evades us.
Only when we stop to have a look around does it land on our shoulders.
The more we chase the more it evades us.
Only when we stop to have a look around does it land on our shoulders.
Charlie Munger, the famous investor and right-hand man of Warren Buffett, shared a similar idea when he said:
“All I want to know is where I'm going to die so I'll never go there”.
“All I want to know is where I'm going to die so I'll never go there”.
3. Know Yourself
A fish swims in water. A bird flies in the air. And a mole lives underground.
So too should we as humans learn what best suits our temperament through experience.
Free yourself from chasing impossible goals that go against your nature.
A fish swims in water. A bird flies in the air. And a mole lives underground.
So too should we as humans learn what best suits our temperament through experience.
Free yourself from chasing impossible goals that go against your nature.
Only through experience and self-reflection can we uncover who we are and how to put ourselves in the best position to succeed in life.
Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi referred to this as Flow.
Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi referred to this as Flow.
4. Don’t Crave Possessions
We are never content with what we have.
“Wealth is like seawater” Schopenhauer says. “the more you drink, the thirstier you get.”
We are never content with what we have.
“Wealth is like seawater” Schopenhauer says. “the more you drink, the thirstier you get.”
The ancients understood this conflict of human nature as well.
5. Never Sacrifice Your Health
A healthy man has 1,000 wishes. A sick man only one.
Sacrificing your health for material gain is one of the worst trades you can make in life.
A healthy man has 1,000 wishes. A sick man only one.
Sacrificing your health for material gain is one of the worst trades you can make in life.
6. Be Compassionate With Yourself
The first form of compassion is to yourself.
Learn from your mistakes, hold yourself to a high standard, but be kind.
The inner critic is your worst enemy.
The first form of compassion is to yourself.
Learn from your mistakes, hold yourself to a high standard, but be kind.
The inner critic is your worst enemy.
7. Love Your Destiny
The Stoics referred to this as Amor Fati (love of fate).
Life is full of chance which is out of our control.
Instead, love the effort and process you take and let the chips fall where they may.
The Stoics referred to this as Amor Fati (love of fate).
Life is full of chance which is out of our control.
Instead, love the effort and process you take and let the chips fall where they may.
8. Pessimism Is Better Than Over-Optimism
Being overly-optimistic is a recipe for disappointment when things don’t work out the way you hope.
A healthy dose of pessimism, or at least realism, allows us to be on guard for the worst.
When the worst doesn’t happen, we are happy.
Being overly-optimistic is a recipe for disappointment when things don’t work out the way you hope.
A healthy dose of pessimism, or at least realism, allows us to be on guard for the worst.
When the worst doesn’t happen, we are happy.
9. Value What You Have
We tend to miss things once they’re lost. What a shame.
How often do we stop to practice gratitude for what we have (while we still have them)?
Our health, a roof over our head, a sound mind to observe and enjoy the world.
See Rule #4.
We tend to miss things once they’re lost. What a shame.
How often do we stop to practice gratitude for what we have (while we still have them)?
Our health, a roof over our head, a sound mind to observe and enjoy the world.
See Rule #4.
10. Respect Time And It’s Passage
George Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright, once wrote “Youth is the most precious thing in life; it is too bad it has to be wasted on young folks.”
George Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright, once wrote “Youth is the most precious thing in life; it is too bad it has to be wasted on young folks.”
Getting old is a part of life.
We won’t be able to do certain things as we age but our desire to look back prevents us from respecting the fact that time moves in one direction and we ought to prepare for our future.
We won’t be able to do certain things as we age but our desire to look back prevents us from respecting the fact that time moves in one direction and we ought to prepare for our future.
TL;DR - 10 Rules To Be Happy
1. Avoid Envy
2. Avoid Unhappiness
3. Know Yourself
4. Don’t Crave Possessions
5. Never Sacrifice Your Health
6. Be Compassionate With Yourself
7. Love Your Destiny
8. Pessimism > Over-Optimism
9. Value What You Have
10. Respect Time And It’s Passage
1. Avoid Envy
2. Avoid Unhappiness
3. Know Yourself
4. Don’t Crave Possessions
5. Never Sacrifice Your Health
6. Be Compassionate With Yourself
7. Love Your Destiny
8. Pessimism > Over-Optimism
9. Value What You Have
10. Respect Time And It’s Passage
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